Larry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties, the developer of the World Trade Center in New York is seeking $12.3 billion in damages from the airlines and other companies for damages related to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The defendants include American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines and Boeing. Continue reading “Developer Lawsuit Seeks $12.3 Billion in 9-11 Damages”
Across the country, there is an expanding trend of state supreme courts limits the use of class actions, punitive damages, and industry-wide liability theories. This week brought another major such ruling out of New Jersey. In Tarr v. Bob Ciasulli’s Mack Auto Mall, the court ruled that punitive damages can only be used to punish a defendant and not simply to deter others. For sexual harassment plaintiff Carol Tarr, it means a remand on the issue. Continue reading “New Jersey Supreme Court Limits the Use of Punitive Damages”
“Real Time With Bill Maher” is not usually the forum for legislative proposals, but Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) used it to announce legislation in Congress that would strip the federal government of its authority to arrest for some cannabis violations. Continue reading “Rep. Frank to Introduce Legislation to Decriminalize Some Pot Violations”
Congress is set to investigate a contract under which the Defense Department contracted with 22-year-old Efraim E. Diveroli’s AEY Inc. for $200 million to supply ammunition to the Afghan Army and police. Instead of supplying Hungarian bullets, the company allegedly committed a series of false statements to supply shoddy Chinese products. Continue reading ““Lad of War”: Administration Gave 22-Year-Old’s Company $200 Million for Faulty Chinese Ammunition”
The federal bureau of prisons finally relented to overwhelming public condemnation over its refusal to release a father to be with his dying daughter. People were aghast at the federal prison officials refusing a dying 10-year-old girl, Jayci Yaeger, her last wish: to spend time with her dad who is serving time for a drug offense. Continue reading “Prison Officials Finally Relent to Outrage Over Dying Girl’s Last Request”
A case in Fayetteville, Arkansas could prove very interesting as a family has sued a high school bully and may soon sue the school district over a prolonged and dangerous pattern of bullying directed against 15-year-old Billy Wolfe. It appears that the school district left this family few choices other than litigation after their son was repeatedly attacked as a type of collective sport for bullies in this high school — and school officials seemed remarkably passive and unsympathetic in the face of the resulting injuries (even after viewing the video below). Notably, the Wolfes are not alone in seeking legal action when school official fail to act. Continue reading “Billy and the Bullies: Family Sues High School Bully and May Soon Sue an Arkansas School District”
Charles Smith has done something that thousands and mom-and-pop stores have failed to do in decades: he beat Wal-Mart. The computer store owner from Convers, Georgia prevailed after being sued by Wal-Mart in a trademark case seeking to shutdown his internet sites entiteld Wal-Qaeda and Walocaust. The lawsuit by Wal-Mart was always weak and seemed designed to harass a critic and try to force him to abandon his small website under a barrage of lawyers and motions. Continue reading “Wal-Qaeda v. Wal-Mart: Superstore Loses Trademark Lawsuit Intended to Shutdown Internet Critic”
Larry C. Bynum, 30, is hardly what one might call a master criminal. Bynum is filmed in a series of disasters as he tries to break into a Fort Worth liquor where he proves more a danger to himself than the public. Continue reading “The Decline of the American Criminal: Video of Liquor Store Break-In Shows a Comedy of Errors”
This last week, I had the pleasure of teaching 150 second grade students from the Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean Virginia. This was the final three such field trip to the law school by the second, third, and sixth grade class to learn about the Constitution and the law. They sat as the jury in a trial of the Big Bad Wolf (“B.B. Wolf”). What my students and I heard from the students was hilarious, particularly their understanding of the Constitution. Continue reading “Second Grade Constitutional Law”
In Wisconsin, another case of alleged religion-based abuse is being investigated after 11-year-old girl Madeline (“Kara”) Neumann died of untreated diabetes as her parents prayed for divine intervention. The last time Kara had reportedly been to a doctor was at age three. Notably, this follows just days after the death of 15-month old Ava Worthington in Oregon in a case that will test one of the new faith healing laws. Continue reading “11-Year-Old Girl Dies of Untreated Diabetes as Parents Pray for Spiritual Healing”
One of my students spotted the video below on a restaurant that is placing open beer taps at tables. The idea presents not just novel possibilities for parties but also lawsuits. Continue reading “Innovation or Litigation? Beer Table Taps Could Present Novel Dram Shop Questions”
Today, the Supreme Court will hear the case of Indiana v. Edwards and explore the question of the limits as self-representation — the subject of the column below. Continue reading “A Fool and His Lawyer: Can You Be Competent to Stand Trial But Unfit to Represent Yourself?”
Wal-Mart has always been a target for many people who a monster corporation that strangles local stores and offers low-paying jobs with little benefits to locals. A story, however, in Jackson, Missouri has left many gasping. Wal-Mart has successfully sued Debbie Shank, a brain damaged former employee, for insurance money that she received before an award in a car accident case. Shank is not only struggling to survive but she lost her son recently in Iraq. Continue reading “Big Box, Small Heart: Wal-Mart Wins Judgment Against Brain Damaged Woman to Get Back Insurance Money”
In Rome, Italian police broke up a circus that makes you wonder about our progress as a species. The circus entertained Italians by having teenage girls swimming with piranhas and fending off snakes. Continue reading “Circus Slavery Arrests Made in Rome”
In Omaha, Nebraska, federal wildlife officials secured a rare conviction against Jack McClanahan, 66, was convicted for butchering illegal shot game in his garage. Continue reading “Rare Butcher Conviction Secured in Nebraska Over Wildlife Violations”